Abu Dhabi: The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 has partnered with almost 40 public and private schools in Abu Dhabi as part of its Adopt a Nation school programme which was launched earlier this month.

Adopt a Nation is an interactive programme that will see UAE schoolchildren connect with Special Olympics athletes from across the world. Each participating school will be partnered with a national team and students will be able to personally interact with team players.

The cultural exchange between local students and international athletes will help them become familiar with UAE culture as well as establish a school-wide fan club for each country participating in the Games. Adopt a Nation aims to cultivate Special Olympics values such as empathy and inclusion among students in the UAE as they learn about intellectual disabilities from a global perspective.

A series of events that facilitate cultural exchange will run throughout the year including Play Unified (sports involving both people of determination and people without intellectual disabilities), language exchange, teaching each other native songs, recipe sharing, short story competitions and much more.

“Adopt a Nation is a truly remarkable programme, enriching the lives of the next generation of the UAE. Implementing the Special Olympics values into students’ education, especially at an early age, can only benefit us for future generations to come. As we prepare to host Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018 and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, we hope to nurture the spirit of empathy, inclusion, tolerance and accessibility via invaluable programmes such as this,” said Mohamad Abdulla Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Abu Dhabi will be the first city ever to host both the MENA and World Games, right after one another. The two Games are separate events, but very much related. Over 1,200 athletes of all abilities will descend upon the capital March 14 — 22, this year, to take part in the IX MENA Games.

Athletes will participate in 16 sports, which will be hosted in eight different venues including ADNEC, Zayed Sports City, Yas Marina Circuit, NYUAD, Officer’s Club, Mubadala IPC Arena, Al Jazira Sports Club and Al Forsan Club. Special Olympics IX MENA Games and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 are a part of the UAE’s National Vision 2021 that highlights full integration of people of determination into everyday society.